[humanser] Question about Process of Disclosure of Blindness with minors

[Ginny Duff]

The times that I have gotten into the most trouble was earlier on when my vision was a lot better and I hoped nobody would notice and tried to get away with camouflaging as a sighted person.   Yikes..   Situations that still make me cringe.   So nice to no longer be ashamed of my vision loss.   So nice to have a white cane and just be up front about it right away - out of the closet - put into words - such a relief - no elephant in the room.   And then it is fine.  

I always tell people to ask me any questions if they have any.  I try to ensure that my vision loss is not a taboo subject. 

Ginny



Dr. V. Duff 
Clinical Director, West End ACT Team, 
St. Joseph's Heatlh Centre , Toronto
Staff Psychiatrist, Complex Mental Illness, CAMH 
Lecturer, University of Toronto
Tel:   416.530.6000, ext 3101
FAX:   416.530.6363

Sent from my iPad

> On Mar 1, 2016, at 6:19 PM, Sarah Meyer <sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks Ginny, that's what I concluded in supervision today as well.  I
> weighed the pros and cons for bringing it up and figured out how to
> directly confront the potential cons so they will hopefully not be
> cons, if that makes sense. I have a great supervisor who is really
> supportive in empowering me to figure out the best strategies for me
> and that will most benefit my clients!
> 
> Best,
> 
> Sarah
> 
>> On 3/1/16, Ginny Duff <duffg at stjoe.on.ca> wrote:
>> I think it is best to bring it up as soon as possible so that it doesn't
>> become the elephant in the room.
>> 
>> Ginny
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Dr. V. Duff
>> Clinical Director, West End ACT Team,
>> St. Joseph's Heatlh Centre , Toronto
>> Staff Psychiatrist, Complex Mental Illness, CAMH
>> Lecturer, University of Toronto
>> Tel:   416.530.6000, ext 3101
>> FAX:   416.530.6363
>> 
>> Sent from my iPad
>> 
>>> On Mar 1, 2016, at 11:23 AM, Sarah Meyer via humanser
>>> <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hello fellow uman Services Division Members and Listers,
>>> I have a question for you and am especially interested in hearing from
>>> clinicians who have worked with children and adolescents. What is your
>>> process of disclosure regarding blindness with minors? If a parent or
>>> guardian is in the room for the first part of a session and you are
>>> going over confidentiality and other basics before switching to
>>> working individually with the client while the parent/guardian waits
>>> in the waiting area, would you bring up your blindness (especially if
>>> it is readily apparent) with the adult in the room proactively or only
>>> if he/she asks?
>>> Would you wait to discuss/disclose until the parent/guardian has left?
>>> I am leaning towards discussing it openly with the parent/guardian in
>>> the room in case they have questions/concerns about me working with
>>> their child, since they are required to be included with informed
>>> choice and consent if I am understanding correctly.
>>> Thoughts or suggestions are welcome.
>>> 
>>> Best,
>>> 
>>> Sarah
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Sarah K. Meyer
>>> Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling/Social Psychology
>>> Ball State University
>>> Board Member, National Federation of the Blind Human Services Division
>>> Board Member, National Federation of the Blind of Indiana State Affiliate
>>> sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com
>>> (317)402-6632
>>> 
>>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>>> characteristic that defines you or your future. You can live the life
>>> you want; blindness is not what holds you back. Together with love,
>>> hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> humanser mailing list
>>> humanser at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> humanser:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/duffg%40stjoe.on.ca
>> 
>> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>> When printing is required please choose to double-side or re-use paper.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Sarah K. Meyer
> Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling/Social Psychology
> Ball State University
> Board Member, National Federation of the Blind Human Services Division
> Board Member, National Federation of the Blind of Indiana State Affiliate
> sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com
> (317)402-6632
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. You can live the life
> you want; blindness is not what holds you back. Together with love,
> hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
When printing is required please choose to double-side or re-use paper.